Gardening

07 June 2010

I convinced Hubby to go to the de Young museum with me where they had an exhibition of Amish quilts. I was ecstatic to find that they also had a flower show on the day that we went :)

You were greeted with this arrangement in the entrance:

Taking a closer look, I loved it:

Ribbons in various shades of pinks and purple with orchids attached to some of the ends. Looking up, it was wonderful to see the light streaming through.

A few of the other bouquets to see:

It was wonderful to see the Amish Quilts but unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos.

You can get a great view of the city from the top floor of the museum.

We had a brief moment in the Botanical Gardens.

We did not have enough time to explore all the gardens in the Golden Gate Park, I would've loved to walk around the Japanese tea gardens but, we only had time for a quick peek through the gates.

Afterwards we walked for what felt like miles through the city until we found a bus that took us half way back to our hotel. Funny how things always look like walking distance on a map :) Oh well, I did enjoy the opportunity to see more of the city on foot and to enjoy the architecture.

24 May 2010

We had a quick breakfast stop overlooking the ocean before we started our road trip. The rain started to come down with force and determination and I have to admit that I started to wonder if this was such a great idea. The road to Hana is known as a spectacular drive but, also a dangerous drive with lots of twists and turns, narrow roads, waterfalls, bridges and cliff edges.

As it turned out, our drive was very experienced and careful while the rain made for the most beautiful waterfalls and rainbows. Yes we got soaking wet, but throughout our holiday Hawaii has given us the perfect weather for each occasion. It was so beautiful and I felt so blessed to be there.

The rain water formed various little waterfalls as the water poured down the mountain.

A black sand beach.

We had an unexpected stop that was a lovely little bonus.

The rain stopped to catch it's breath while I was given a moment to indulge in the beauty of this island.

We passed the property of various celebrities including Oprah Winfrey.

We had one last stop on this tour at a winery and a ranch store. I spotted these flowers and thought they were plastic until I touched them. They are real!

03 May 2010

The first thing that I noticed when we got to Oahu was that there were flowers everywhere.

Orchids grow in abundance in gardens, pots and in trees. So many varieties and colours.

The Plumeria was also full in bloom everywhere.

We saw the hibiscus in so many different colours.

We saw so many different types of flowers that it is not possible to do one post about it all so, I will have to add a few more over the next few posts. But, I wanted to share how I noticed that the flowers everywhere translated into everything else. Like the public phone booths:

The shops:

We were wearing floral clothes. Hubby is now the proud owner of several 'aloha shirts', while I loved wearing a flower above my left ear everyday. Wearing the flower on the left indicates that you're not available, but wearing it on the right shows that you are single.

27 March 2010

The sun came out yesterday afternoon and I couldn't resist making a start on some pruning and de-weeding in the garden. While I was down on hands and knees, pulling out weeds, I suddenly looked up.

I just felt inspired by the light coming through the yellow petals. This moment really spoke to me. Here I was so busy focussing on the mud and the weeds around me that I almost missed the light and beauty above me, had I not looked up. Of course I had to stop what I was doing to grab my camera to capture the moment.

My life seems to be at a point right now where I feel constantly reminded to look beyond the stress, worries and problems of life that often feels like it is surrounding us and instead, to look up or look around us and to try and see the beauty in the ugly or to notice that when you thought you were knee deep in weeds and mud, that the sun has been shining above you the whole time and that there are blessings that blossom in abundance over you, if you would only look up. This may not make sense to you but, that is where I am at and I needed to record this as a reminder to myself.

24 February 2010

After several days of rain, we've had a break in the clouds and I just had to go for a walk in the park while the sun came out momentarily. I have always loved the transition from one season to the next and was delighted by the early promise of Spring.

There was a sense of anticipation as though Nature is on a stage, just waiting for the curtain to open so she could dazzle her eager audience. There were buds everywhere and green sprouts just peeking through the ground.

While the sound of water falling and splashing in various fountains around the park encouraged some blooms to take a peek...

The door of the museum located in the park and witnessing the transition in seasons reminded me of the different seasons in my own life.

The seasons of life is so beautifully described in Ecclesiastes 3. Have you ever read it?

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

I find it comforting to know that there is a rhythm, a balance and a season to the circle of life. My family always say "the wheel turns" meaning that sometimes you're under and sometimes you're at the top. I have had my time of being under and going through the mud but, I believe that things are looking up.

21 September 2009

18 September 2009

I have made an attempt with the garden in the Spring but the slugs, snails and spiders had other plans for the garden and in the end, I admitted defeat when I got fed up with all the dead plants. This year ended up so busy with work, designing in my spare time and life in general. So, when I ventured out into the garden this week, I was 'pleasantly' surprised by how happily the weeds were taking over.

So screw it, as much as I love flowers and beautiful gardens, I've always secretly known that I don't have 'green fingers' like the rest of my family but I can always pretend that I intended to go for the wild, untamed look.

I know it's not a bed of roses but, I think a chair covered in deep purple flowers and heart shaped leaves is a close second.

And, I make the connection that magical things happen in my garden if I just keep out of it.